Team India coach Rahul Dravid spoke about the ‘big picture’ for the side as they prepare for the Asia Cup and World Cup this year after the Men in Blue were defeated by West Indies in the second ODI in Barbados by 6 wickets to level the 3-match series 1-1.
Indian team management surprisingly rested senior batter Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma for the encounter with Hardik Pandya leading the side and Akshar Patel and Sanju Samson being given a chance to prove themselves.
India was bowled out for 181 runs in 36.4 overs despite Ishan Kishan (55) and Shubman Gill (34) adding 90 runs for the first wicket. In response, West Indies chased down the target with captain Shai Hope making 63* and Keacy Carty making 48* with 6 wickets in hand.
The Indian team management and coach Rahul Dravid were severely criticized for their decision to rest Kohli and Rohit this close to the World Cup tournament, but the head coach explained the bigger picture for the team while talking to the media.
"This was our last chance to be able to try out our players. We have got a few of our players who are injured, and are (recuperating) in the NCA (National Cricket Academy). With (only) months to go for the World Cup (begins October 5) or Asia Cup (begins August 30), we are kind of running out of time in a lot of ways, and we are hopeful that at least some of them will be fit for the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
But we cannot take our chances as we have to try out other people so that in the worst case scenario they have game-time behind them,” Dravid said in a presser.
Neither Rohit nor Kohli played the second ODI and had pushed themselves down the order in the first match of the series.
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“We will always look into the bigger picture and we cannot think about every single game and series. In a series like this, with only two-three matches to go before the World Cup and Asia Cup, playing Virat (Kohli) and Rohit (Sharma) would not have given us answers," Dravid added.
Further, he addressed the criticism surrounding the Indian team's selection of the playing XI and said that the management is not concerned about outside opinions and their primary focus is on providing valuable opportunities for young players to showcase their talent and potential.
"We are not too worried about others' opinions. These are talented boys from our country; they all have performed and come here. It is up to them to take the opportunity when they are given the opportunity," said the head coach.
Talking about the outcome of the match, Dravid said: "We are a little disappointed...We knew it was a tricky wicket and not an easy wicket to bat on, but we needed to somehow get to 230-240. That could have been a very good score. We lost wickets in the middle and were 50-60 runs short.”
Dravid also backed Suryakumar Yadav to come good and said that the team is receptive to providing him with opportunities to develop and excel in his cricketing journey. He also lauded Ishan Kishan for his brilliant batting in the two ODIs thus far.
"Surya is a really good player; there is no doubt about it, his performance has shown that. Unfortunately, I think he would also be the first one to admit that his ODI (skills) have not been up to own high standards that he has set in T20s. He is also learning one-day cricket. He is a good player, and we want to give him as many opportunities as we can and then it is up to him to take those opportunities.
I think Ishan has done well, again, he is taking the opportunities when he has been given a chance, and that is what we want from young players,” he signed off.
(PTI inputs)
